91Èȱ¬

A 27-year-old man has died after his car crashed off the M9 motorway and down an embankment after a police pursuit.

The white Vauxhall Corsa was travelling south between junctions 8 and 9 when the incident occurred at about 11:50 on Sunday, Police Scotland said.

The force said the car had been involved in a police pursuit beforehand in the Stirling area.

Emergency services attended and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two male passengers in the car, aged 19 and 20, were taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital to be checked over.

Officers said the circumstances surrounding the collision have been referred to the force's watchdog, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.

Ch Insp Mark Patterson, of Police Scotland, said: "Extensive inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what happened.

"We are appealing for any witnesses, particularly motorists with dashcam footage, to please get in touch."

He urged anyone with information to contact the force.

The road was closed while police carried out investigations into the crash.